Alabama gymnastics narrowly lost on the road against Georgia Friday night 196.975-196.575. This extended the Crimson Tide’s losing streak to three.
“They came in, they fought hard, they never gave up, they continued to chip away and do everything in their power to try to come out with a win,” head coach Ashley Johnston said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t go that way, but I do feel like we learned a ton from this meet.”
Rotation 1
As the away team, Alabama started the competition on the uneven bars. During the first rotation, the Crimson Tide scored 49.15, which tied with the Bulldogs.
Senior Lilly Hudson and junior Gabby Gladieux posted the highest score for Alabama, with 9.85. However, the uneven bars title went to Georgia’s Ady Wahl, who received a 9.875.
Rotation 2
For the second rotation, Alabama was on the vault and scored a 49.125. On the uneven bars, Georgia posted a 49.075. This put Alabama in the lead 98.275-98.225.
For the Crimson Tide, there was a three-way tie for the highest score, with Hudson, Gladieux and junior Jordyn Paradise all earning a 9.85. However, the vault title went to Georgia’s Anaya Smith, who scored a 9.9.
After two rotations, Alabama and Georgia were neck and neck, and Stegeman Coliseum was full of energy.
“Competitions like this are great preparation for us as we navigate a tough season, a tough schedule, and a postseason run,” Johnston said. “The crowd was loud. They brought a lot of chaos, a ton of energy. I really think it helped us.”
Rotation 3
Alabama was on the floor and Georgia was on the balance beam for the third rotation. The Crimson Tide scored 49.275, and the Bulldogs put up 49.425, giving Georgia the lead 147.65-147.55.
Gladieux earned the highest score for the Crimson Tide on the floor, a 9.9. This marked Alabama’s first and only score of 9.9 or higher for the meet. Gladieux tied the floor title with Georgia’s Lily Smith.
Rotation 4
Alabama was on the balance beam for the fourth and final rotation, and Georgia was on the floor. The Crimson Tide posted a 49.025 to the Bulldogs’ 49.325.
Gabby Ladanyi, an Alabama sophomore, scored the highest for the team with a 9.875. However, the balance beam title went to Georgia’s Kara Eaker.
Hudson won the all-around with a score of 39.35.
“I think we accomplished a lot tonight, to lose by just a couple of tenths,” Johnston said. “I think that gives them a chip on their shoulder and something to really work towards as we go into another tough matchup.”
This Friday, the Crimson Tide will host LSU at Coleman Coliseum. The meet is set to start at 8 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN2.